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Author Topic: Google has mapped every WiFi network in Britain  (Read 4457 times)

AdrianH

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Google has mapped every WiFi network in Britain
« on: May 30, 2010, 06:09:00 PM »

Google has mapped every wireless network in Britain in order to use the information for commercial purposes, it has emerged.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/google/7786255/Google-has-mapped-every-WiFi-network-in-Britain.html

Quote

Every WiFi wireless router – the device that links most computer owners to the internet - in every home has been entered into a Google database.

The information was collected by radio aerials on their Street View cars, which have now photographed almost every home in the country.

The data is then used on Google's Maps for Mobile application to locate mobile phones such as iPhones in order for users to access information relevant to the area such as restaurants, cinemas, theatres, shops and hotels.

The project had remained secret until an inquiry in Germany earlier this month in which Google was forced to admit that it “mistakenly” downloaded emails and other data from unsecured wireless networks where they were not protected by a password.

Google points out that other companies have already mapped wireless networks, notably a company called Skyhook Wireless which has a contract with Apple, manufacturers of the iPhone.

Google say the information, which lists the networks’ MAC (Media Access Control) address and SSID (Service Set-ID) number, but not their house number, is publicly available because the wireless network signals extend beyond the property in which they are located........ ( more )
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BritBrat

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Re: Google has mapped every WiFi network in Britain
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2010, 06:57:15 PM »

I am safe as they never came down my road. :)
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silversurfer44

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Re: Google has mapped every WiFi network in Britain
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2010, 07:09:08 PM »

Well they never came down my street but they did one street away, so I guess they may have captured my signal. Mind you I have all on getting a connection from the upstairs to the downstairs. It's encrypted with wpa2 so it shouldn't matter really. If they want to snoop on my emails then good luck to them, all I ever get is spam.
Thanks for pointing it out thought Adrian.
« Last Edit: May 30, 2010, 07:20:18 PM by silversurfer44 »
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kitz

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Re: Google has mapped every WiFi network in Britain
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2010, 06:17:06 PM »

They came down my street last year.

Not happy about this.... and why they think they need this data for private residences for?
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roseway

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Re: Google has mapped every WiFi network in Britain
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2010, 06:43:38 PM »

I think you've hit the nail on the head - this looks like gathering information for no purpose other than to accumulate information. ???
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  Eric

geep

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Re: Google has mapped every WiFi network in Britain
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2010, 10:27:18 PM »

Their number plate fuzzing software isn't perfect either. My neighbour's Land Rover isn't fuzzed.
I guess because it's a square plate, rather than rectangular.
Cheers, Peter
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CurlyWhirly

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Re: Google has mapped every WiFi network in Britain
« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2010, 06:23:38 AM »

Their number plate fuzzing software isn't perfect either. My neighbour's Land Rover isn't fuzzed.
I guess because it's a square plate, rather than rectangular.
I've never seen a square number plate before !

Regarding the WiFi privacy concern, I'm glad I use ethernet cables.
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Mike

silversurfer44

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Re: Google has mapped every WiFi network in Britain
« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2010, 07:44:22 AM »

@Curlywhirly:>>I've never seen a square number plate before !
They were standard on the original Land Rover. The original Land Rover had the power take off equipment fitted right where the number plate would go. They are still used on many vehicles where the normal oblong plate will not fit, or would be obscured by towing equipment.
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tuftedduck

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Re: Google has mapped every WiFi network in Britain
« Reply #8 on: June 06, 2010, 07:50:14 AM »

And on motorcycles  :)
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CurlyWhirly

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Re: Google has mapped every WiFi network in Britain
« Reply #9 on: June 06, 2010, 09:09:41 AM »

And on motorcycles  :)
I have a motorcycle  :D  :blush:

I meant to say that I had never seen them on cars although, now you come to mention it, I do now remember seeing them on Land Rovers.
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Mike

stevie

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Re: Google has mapped every WiFi network in Britain
« Reply #10 on: June 06, 2010, 04:20:55 PM »

Seems like they are in trouble in Australia as well...

Quote
The Australian police have been ordered to investigate Google for possible breach of privacy while taking pictures for its Street View service.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia_pacific/10249091.stm
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